The Finnish government has announced plans for universal broadband access across Finland assuring that no person will be further than a mile and a half away from a broadband Internet connection of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps).

The announcement came one day after Finland’s largest cable provider, Welho, announced a new 100 Mbps consumer service. The government has expressed concerns about the availability of this new service to the entire country.

Suvi Lindén, Finland’s communications minister said:

"The development of that infrastructure is to be guaranteed in a way that all members of the public and companies, regardless of location, will have an opportunity to use information society services."

The Finnish government set the 100 Mbps speed as a minimum, hoping to have gigabit-range speeds by 2015, understanding the economic and social importance of universal broadband as well as the need for governmental leadership in reaching that goal.

Harri Pursiainen, the permanent secretary for the transport and communications minister, explained the reasoning behind the goal:

"Data connections are no longer entertainment but a necessity. Regional, equal communications infrastructure will not come about without state action."

The funding has not yet been planned and is up for discussion in the coming months.